Three AACN DNP Essentials that most align to the completion of a Doctoral Project

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) DNP Essentials are a set of eight core competencies that all Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates are expected to demonstrate. These competencies are designed to prepare DNP graduates for the highest level of leadership in practice and scientific inquiry.

Of the eight DNP Essentials, three are particularly relevant to the completion of a Doctoral Project:

• Essential VII: Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
• Essential VIII: Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
• Essential IV: Translating Research into Practice

Essential VII: Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

This essential prepares DNP graduates to critically appraise, synthesize, and translate research into practice. DNP graduates must be able to identify, evaluate, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.

The completion of a Doctoral Project requires DNP graduates to demonstrate their ability to conduct rigorous scholarship and to apply evidence-based findings to practice. DNP graduates must be able to design and conduct a research study, collect and analyze data, and interpret and disseminate their findings.

Essential VIII: Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking

This essential prepares DNP graduates to lead and implement quality improvement initiatives. DNP graduates must be able to identify, analyze, and address quality gaps in healthcare systems.

The completion of a Doctoral Project often involves the design and implementation of a quality improvement intervention. DNP graduates must be able to use their knowledge of quality improvement principles and methods to develop and implement an intervention that will improve patient outcomes.

Essential IV: Translating Research into Practice

This essential prepares DNP graduates to translate research findings into practice. DNP graduates must be able to identify, evaluate, and implement evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes.

The completion of a Doctoral Project requires DNP graduates to translate their research findings into practice. DNP graduates must be able to develop and implement an intervention that is based on their research findings and that has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

How these three essentials align to the completion of a Doctoral Project

The three AACN DNP Essentials described above are essential for the successful completion of a Doctoral Project. DNP graduates must be able to conduct rigorous scholarship, apply evidence-based findings to practice, and design and implement quality improvement initiatives in order to complete a Doctoral Project that has the potential to make a significant contribution to nursing practice.

Examples of Doctoral Projects that align to these three essentials

Here are some examples of Doctoral Projects that align to the three AACN DNP Essentials described above:

• Essential VII: Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
  • A study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new intervention for preventing falls in older adults
  • A study to identify the best practices for managing pain in patients with cancer
  • A study to develop and evaluate a new tool for assessing the quality of care provided to patients with heart disease
• Essential VIII: Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
  • A project to reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections in a hospital
  • A project to improve the efficiency of the triage process in an emergency department
  • A project to develop and implement a new program to support patients with diabetes in managing their condition
• Essential IV: Translating Research into Practice
  • A project to implement a new evidence-based intervention for treating postpartum depression
  • A project to develop and implement a new program to educate patients about the importance of hand hygiene
  • A project to implement a new protocol for managing pain in patients with sickle cell anemia

These are just a few examples of Doctoral Projects that align to the three AACN DNP Essentials described above. There are many other possibilities, and the specific topic of a Doctoral Project will depend on the interests and expertise of the DNP graduate.

Conclusion

The three AACN DNP Essentials described above are essential for the successful completion of a Doctoral Project. DNP graduates must be able to conduct rigorous scholarship, apply evidence-based findings to practice, and design and implement quality improvement initiatives in order to complete a Doctoral Project that has the potential to make a significant contribution to nursing practice.